Reaction, Stats: Warriors open season with blowout loss to Nets, 125-99

After a nine-month wait, the Golden State Warriors’ highly-anticipated return to the court was one to forget. 

A poor Golden State shooting night paired with steady performances from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led to a Brooklyn blowout over the Warriors to open the season, 125-99.

While the Warriors struggled to shoot the ball, the pairing of Durant and Irving combined for 48 points in their first appearance as teammates. 

As Brooklyn scored at ease, Golden State struggled to find the bottom of the Net. The Warriors shot an underwhelming 37-of-99 (37.4%). To keep up with Brooklyn, Golden State needed to find the range from long distance. However, the Warriors’ shooting struggles stretched beyond the arc, tallying 10-of-33 from 3-point range.

Adding to their woeful shooting, Golden State’s 18 turnovers didn’t help their bid for a comeback against Brooklyn. 

After facing off against Durant, Irving and the Nets, Golden State’s schedule doesn’t get easier. The Warriors will carry their 0-1 record to Milwaukee for a Christmas day tilt against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

Via @warriors on Twitter: 

While he only scored 20 points on 7-of-21 shooting from the field, Stephen Curry flashed glimpses of his former self. Early in the game, the two-time Most Valuable Player provided the lone spark against the Nets, scoring 16 points of his points in the first half. 

However, Curry followed a steady first half with only four points in the third quarter, shooting 1-of-6 from the field. With the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, Steve Kerr opted to leave Curry on the bench. 

With Brooklyn’s defense swarming, Curry struggled to knock down his signature long-distance jumper. The sharpshooting specialist only shot 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. 

In his first game in nine months, patience could be key for Golden State’s All-Star point guard. 

Via @warriors on Twitter: 

During the ugly loss to Brooklyn, James Wiseman provided the lone bright spot for Golden State. In his NBA debut, the 19-year-old quickly got on the board with a two-handed jam in the opening minute of the game. 

Via @warriors on Twitter: 

First NBA bucket for @BigTicket_JW ✔️

📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/UCmVvLnIdc

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 23, 2020

Wiseman followed his opening dunk with an impressive performance in his first game since Nov. 12, 2019 at Memphis. The 2020 No. 2 overall draft pick’s full skillset was on display in his debut as a member of the Warriors. 

After showing his presence in the interior with a dunk and an athletic layup underneath, Wiseman stepped out to knock down a couple of jumpers. In the fourth quarter, the 7-footer buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key. 

Via @gswchris on Twitter: 

The Memphis product finished the game with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field with six rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes. 

Without Klay Thompson, the Warriors will need to lean on players like Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Eric Paschall. However, the trio of Golden State starters struggled to shoot the basketball in the season opener.

Wiggins, Oubre Jr., and Paschall combined for 9-of-36 shooting from the field with only three triples on 13 attempts. Wiggins, Oubre Jr. and Paschall’s poor shooting linked for only 25 points.

If the Warriors are going to make a run back to the postseason, Golden State will need one of these players to complement Curry as a consistent secondary scoring threat.

Wiggins, Oubre Jr., and Paschall will have the opportunity to break their early-season shooting slump on Christmas day in Milwaukee.